Mop holder having a hollow handle and a retractable jaw



April 29, 9 s. J. cm: ETAL 2,594,392

MOP HOLDER HAVING A HOLLOW HAfiDLE AND A RETRACTABLE JAW Filed Mar ch 29, 1950 /////L// V 707 21111; [Ma num INVENTOR SAMUEL J. CARE 8.-

ANDREW SHARA ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 29, 1952 MOP HOLDER HAVING A HOLLOW HANDLE AND A RETRACTABLE JAW Samuel J. Care, Forty-Fort, and Andrew Shara, Kingston, Pa.

Application March 29, 1950, Serial No. 152,608

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a mop'and has for an object to provide an improved mop holder and handle which is extremely rugged and of great durability and which will hold the mophead firmly and securely while in use, yet will release it readily for easy replacement.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mop handle of hollow metal and hence great strength with means at the upper end of the handle for controlling the fastening and releasing of the mop head at the other end.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide a remotely controlled mophead fastening means which is adjustable according to the thickness of the mop whereby a heavy or light mophead may be secured with equal facility.

A further object of this invention is to provide anextendable disappearing mop suspending means in combination with the mop securing knob.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, aswill hereinafter become apparent, this invention provides a construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth, claimed and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the mop in mop securing position;

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the mop handle with the mop holding means in mop releasing position;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view similar to Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the mop tightening knob; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of connecting rod within the mop.

There is shown at In the mop of this invention consisting of a hollow metal tube H having its mophead end 12 flattened somewhat into a tri-.

angular shape and provided with flared lips l3 while the other end of the tube II has a short longitudinally extending slot I6 connecting with a radial slot H in the otherwise closed end. Arranged to extend within the hollow tube H and the flattened triangular end I2 is a mophead holding means consisting of a triangular-shaped rod l4 whose apex sides are joined at 15 and then extend at l8 through the hollow metal tube to a point 20 intermediate the ends of the longitudinal slot I5. These extending sides l8 may be soldered or welded together at both points i5 and 20 and, ifdesired, at several intermediate points.

Adjacent point 20 there is pivoted one 6nd 2| of a threaded stud 22 whose other end is arranged to be threaded into an operating knob 23. If the knob 23 is of metal, the threads 24 for the stud 22 may be-cut therein, but if the knob 23 is of wood or plastic, suitable threads may be provided therewithin. The closed end of knob 23 is preferably rounded while the diameter of the knob 23 is substantially equal at its open end to the diameter of the tube ll. Extending longitudinally through the knob 23 are a pair of counterbores 25 cooperating with an extendable mop supporting U-shaped bail 26 whose legs are peaned over or otherwise provided with permanent or attachable enlargements at 21 mov'able within the large bore of the counterbore 25 thereby preventing the U-shaped bail 26 from being completely withdrawn therefrom. In the opposite direction bight 28 of the U-shaped bail 26 may countersink within a slot 30 in the end of the knob 23, the slot 30 having a fingernail kerf 3| at one side thereof permitting access thereto for withdrawing the U-shaped bail 26. In the withdrawing position this U-shaped bail 28 is intended to cooperate with a nail or hook for suspending or supporting the mop 10 in a convenient position.

Instead of the apex sides of the triangle extending at l8 a hollow or solid rod 35 may be provided having a bifurcated end 35 and transverse apertures 31 for pivotally attaching it to the end 2| of the threaded stud 22, the other end of the rod 35 being welded or soldered to the triangle M at its apex point IS. The mop l0 with the rod 35 substituted for the extended sides [8 would be somewhat stronger and is particularly intended for use where extreme ruggedness is desirable as in office or factory cleaning.

In operation, the mophead 40 is placed about base member IQ of triangle [4 while in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4. To secure mophead 40 in operative position, the knob 23 is then moved to withdraw the triangle l4 into themop handle end I2 until the knob 23 can be pivoted about from the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The knob 23 is then rotated drawing the threaded stud 22 therein until the mophead 40 is tightly caught and held between the triangle base l9 and the lips [3 of flattened mop end l2 while simultaneously the knob 23 becomes tight against the closed end I! of mop tube H. To release and replace the mophead 40, the knob 23 is threaded in the opposite direction to relieve the pressure thereon until it can be pivoted over the closed end I! to the position shown in Figs. 3

and 4 permitting the mophead to be removed and replaced. When not in use, the mop l may be supported on any convenient hook by first withdrawing the supporting U 26 from the knob 23.

While the preferred form of this invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that this invention is not restricted to the particular details of construction and arrangement hereinbefore set forth but that changes in such detail of construction may be made within the scope of what is hereinafter claimed.

Having thus set forth and disclosed the nature of this invention, what is claimed is:

1. A mop comprising a hollow metal tube providing a mop handle, said tube being closed at slot, a knob adjustably threaded to said threaded stud externally of said hollow tube and having a diameter at least equal to the diameter of said hollow tube, said knob being provided with a pair of spaced apart axially aligned large and small bores providing shoulders therebetween and an extendable mop suspending U-shaped bail having its legs retractable and extendable through said axially aligned bores, the ends of said legs being provided with enlargements within said large bores and arranged to abut said shoulders to limit the extension of said U-shaped hail, the end of said knob being kerf slotted to retractably countersink said U.

4. A mop comprising a hollow metal tube providing a mop handle, said tube being closed at one end but having a radial slot therein connect=- ing to a short longitudinal slot, the other end of said hollow metal tube being flattened and enlarged to substantially triangular outline open at its end and provided with flaring lips, a triangular mophead holder having a transverse aperture arranged to extend from and be retracted into said open triangular end of said mop handle, means extending from the apex of said triangular mophead holder and through said hollow metal tube to a point adjacent said longitudinal slot therein, a threaded stud pivotally secured to the endof said means adjacent said longitudinal slot,

and a knob adjustably threaded to said threaded stud externally of said hollow tube and having a diameter at least equal to the diameter of said hollow tube.

2, A mop comprising a hollow metal tube providing a mop handle, said tube being closed at one end but having a radial slot therein connecting to a short longitudinal slot, the other end of said hollow metal tube being flattened and enlarged to substantially triangular outline open at its end and provided with flaring lips, a triangular mophead holder having a transverse aperture arranged to extend from and be retracted into-said open triangular end of said mop handle, means extending from the apex of said triangular mophead holder and through said hollow' metal tube to a point adjacent said longitudinal slot therein, a threaded stud pivotally secured to the end of said means adjacent said longitudinal slot, a knob adjustably threaded to said threaded stud externally of said hollow tube and having a diameter at least equal to the diameter of said hollow tube, said knob being provided with a pair of spaced apart axially aligned large and small bores providing shoulders therebetween and an extendable mop suspending U-shaped bail having its legs retractable and extendable through said axially aligned bores, the ends of said legs being provided with enlargements within said large bores and arranged to abut said shoulders to limit the extension of said U-shaped bail.

3. A mop comprising a hollow metal tube providing a mophandle, said tube being closed at one end but having a radial slot therein connecting to-a short longitudinal slot, the other end of said hollow metal tube being flattened and enlarged to substantially triangular outline open at its end and provided with flaring lips, a triangular mophead holder having a transverse aperture arranged to extend from and be retracted into said open triangular end of said mop handle, means extending from the apex of said triangular mophead holder and through said hollow metal tube to a point adjacent said longitudinal slot therein, a threaded stud pivotally secured to the end of said means adjacent said longitudinal one end but having a radial slot therein connecting to a short longitudinal slot, the other end of said hollow metal tube being flattened and enlarged to substantially triangular outline open at its end and provided with flaring lips, a triangular mophead holder having a transverse aperture arranged to extend from and be retracted into said open triangular end of said mop handle,

' means extending from the apex of said triangular mophead holder and through said hollow metal tube to a point adjacent said longitudinal slot .therein, said means comprising integrally extending parallel portions of said apex sides secured together, a threaded stud pivotally secured to the end of said means adjacent said longitudinal slot, and a knob adjustably threaded to said threaded stud externally of said hollow tube and having a diameter at least equal to the diameter of said hollow tube.

5. A mop comprising a hollow metal tube providing a mop handle, said tube being closed at one end but having a radial slot therein connecting to a short longitudinal slot, the other end of said hollow metal tube being flattened and enlarged to substantially triangular outline open at its end and provided with flaring lips, a triangular mophead holder having a transverse aperture arranged to extend from and be retracted into said open triangular end of said mop handle, means extending from the apex of said triangular mophead holder and through said hollow metal tube to a point adjacent said longitudinal slot therein, said means comprising a rod extending from said triangular mophead holder adjacent its apex, a threaded stud pivotally secured to the end of said means adjacent said longitudinal slot, and a knob adjustably threaded to said threaded stud externally of said hollow tube and having a diameter at least equal to the diameter of said hollow tube.

6. A mop comprising a hollow metal tube providing a mop handle, said tube being closed at one end but having a radial slot therein connecting to a short longitudinal slot, the other end of said hollow metal tube being flattened and enlarged to substantially triangular outline open at its end and provided with flaring lips, a triangular mophead holder having a transverse aperture arranged to extend from and be retracted into said open triangular end of said mop handle, means extending from the apex of said triangular mophead holder and through said hollow metal tube to a point adjacent said longitudinal slot therein, said means comprising a rod extending from said triangular mophead holder adjacent its apex, said rod being hollow, a threaded stud pivotally secured to the end of said means adjacent said longitudinal slot, and a knob adj ustably threaded to said threaded stud externally of said hollow tube. and having a diameter at Number least equal to the diameter of said hollow tube. 938,685 SAMUEL J. CARE. 1,477,900 ANDREW SHARA. 1,720,344 5 1,745,486 REFERENCES CITED 2,070,844 The following references are of record in the 2,515,829 file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS m Number Number Name Date 91,673

335,005 Wilson Jan. 26, 1886 Name Date Moody Nov. 2, 1909 Ritschard Dec. 18, 1923 Palmer July 9, 1929 Hill Feb. 4, 1930 Riley Feb. 16, 1937 Levin July 18, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Sweden Mar. 10, 1938 

